hemingway

Heroic optimism DOF.

We currently have a dysfunctional forward line. Just can’t see us hurting them on the scoreboard.

The British Hotel, a gastro pub in Finniss St, North Adelaide, a short walk from the ground. Nice public bar with good ales on tap, plus lounge area. Big Dining area out the back. Have not been there for a few years but has been a good pub for many years.

In regard to my last comment about those that fall in battle, there is no doubt that teams are going to increasingly target our key players both fairly and unfairly. Get ready for some pretty physical stuff as opponents test us out. Fortunately, we have some tough nuts and others who will stand up for themselves and their team mates. We are no longer soft. However, we will need to be tough to withstand the punishment that is coming.

Thanks Adam. The feedback of posters reflect that we have depth and a nucleus of “stars.” It is difficult to identify one player as making the difference. We would miss any one of our top guns but from a leadership viewpoint I go back to Max. He has become the figurehead for this team. He may not be a Barassi or Martin but as well as on field ruck dominance he provides cool and mature leadership. If you think of the team without him, it would be a boat without an anchor. At some stage this year our depth will be tested when we are required to field a team without one or more of our stars. It will be a test to see who can step up and fill the shoes of those that fall in battle.

We have the example of the importance of one player to both a team and their success rate. We accept that to win flags you need a champion team over a team of champions. However, you cannot under estimate the importance of one player. Currently, his name is Dusty. But when you think back, it has always been so. It was often said during the Demons great days, “no Barassi, no Melbourne”. And the facts are that Melbourne was often vulnerable when RDB was not playing. Arguably we missed out winning the flag in 63 when Ron was suspended for hitting Roger Dean just before the finals. Ron provided the leadership, the spark that inspired others. Norm Smith knew this and it was the reason he was always so tough on him and would provoke an angry and aggressive response from Ron on the field. There are plenty of examples. Hawthorn without Hudson, Geelong without Ablett Snr, South without Skilton, the Tigers without Hart or Stewart. The Blues without Jezza. The list goes on and on. Is it the Demons without Oliver or Gawn or Petracca or May? At times the absence of one key player can make a difference to winning games. Whatever the answer, it is the reason we need to remain circumspect about the ultimate success this season. We need a full fit list to push for glory. In my view, the key player to our fortunes is probably Max. For his leadership and influence on the ground. As a current AFL player said to me recently, if you put Max in the Bulldogs team, they would be unstoppable. Anyway, let’s keep our fingers crossed in regard to our very best whether it be Gawn, Clarry , Petracca, May etc.

Coin Jar. Beauty, just great. What a depressing world. Thank god for the football.

As we enjoy this period of success, a period of nine weeks that no one could have predicted at the beginning of the season , we should remember the past. In particular, all those who have gone to the after life without seeing success. There are the older brigade that may have seen success pre-1965 but had to endure decades of failure and there are those poor souls born post 64 but who sadly passed on before 2021. Remember them. Remember chance. There are those that are born, live and love at an opportune time and thousands of supporters that in footy terms were dealt a bad hand. Every win in a surreal way, is a win for them. Here’s to patience, endurance, resilience and long life. Here’s hoping that we carry the eternal spirit of our friends and family who were Dees supporters. If we are here today, we are lucky. If we can just enjoy the present and not worry about the future, then we should rejoice in seeing our mob rise from the ashes. We are watching a collection of young stars developing into a formidable team. It is like the development of Norms boys in the 50s. There is something special in the air. Go Dees you bloody beauties.

I think Oliver is so good that any criticism is simply absurd. There is no perfect player, there is no perfect human being. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. All the footy greats have had them. Oliver does things that I have never seen before. You know what I mean. He is a freak or very close to one. At the very least he has skills that make him a great player. We are lucky to have him. Sit back watch him closely, enjoy it, be amazed at what he can do, and forget the faults. I have made my mind up. He is a freak! And he is our freak. Enjoy the moment because down the track he will be gone. We will not see his like again. And like Robbie he will be just a memory and we will sit back and say, how good was Oliver.

We need to lose to restore some balance to DL. It’s become boring and predictable.

Until the Pies and every other club come knocking with huge offers to jump ship.

Classic MFCSS

Most players like Goodwin. And I think also respect him. Isaac Smith did end up at Geelong but was super impressed with Goodwin and he was very close to coming to Melbourne. He went to Geelong to get out of the city of Melbourne and lead a slower pace of life. He is a country boy and thought Geelong was a better fit for lifestyle reasons. However, it was Goodwin that got him close to donning the red and blue.

Fair dinkum unbelievable.....

We had great pride. The team, the coach and of course the supporters. In those days, the Northern Stand was a Demons stronghold. We expected to win and was always a surprise when we lost. Many many games we would be level pegging and even down at half-time or three quarter time, and Norm would give the players an almighty roast. Norm is full throttle was dominating, commanding and above all frightening. The team normally got the message and as with other great teams ran over the opposition in the second half. The 64 Granny, I was sitting on the top deck of the Northern Stand with my father and his footy mates. There was a sense that it was going to be a tight game and that the Pies had come to play. The famous Gabbo run and goal in the last was like watching our hopes and dreams go down an enormous crevasse in the ground. There was the sense that it was all over. At very least that it was going to be difficult to come back. The Froggy Crompton goal came like a miracle out of the blue. Unbelievable, incredible, beyond comprehension. Then the torture of the last few minutes with the Pies throwing everything at the Dees. Somehow we hung on like resilient teams do. The end. Exhilaration but above all relief. To look at Collingwood fans leaving the ground bereft and some in tears. Heartbroken. I could see what it was like to lose. And I felt sorry for them. Walking through Yarra Park. Floating. Blissfully unaware of the disaster that was approaching in 65. When the Titanic hit an iceberg.

Hope they have insured his knees for 7 years. And that he remains motivated for that period of time. Always worry about long-term contracts but I understand the pressure coming from other clubs. It is just a hell of a lot of money over a long time. How will he be in 5 years let alone 7. Keep our fingers crossed.

He has everything. Skills, tenacity, in the air and on the ground, calm decision making. He is going to be a superstar. Move over Bont.

And he looked totally [censored] off at the end of the game. A good sign.

Thought Jones was terrific and inspirational. His value to the team cannot be underestimated.

Unbelievably negative comments per se. Came off an incredible win against the Tigers, played on a ground some have never seen. A hard fought win, great second half, top of the ladder, yet so much negativity. Really don’t know how supporters can be so critical. Feel happy and positive , please.

Normally agree with you Adam. But I don’t think Bullies are overrated. Quick, great mid fielders, beautifully balanced and some great young forwards who are terrific overhead and mobile And they have a core of A graders. Much like the Dees. And a great coach with players who love him.

I realise that memory is temporary (in my case anyway) and selective.. picking up Yung Bloods comments, despite missing Finals in 2020 the team was building and developing. At the time and even with hindsight we see the defeats, the disappointments and another unsuccessful year. Our impatience with the team and coach was perhaps unfair. As referred to by others, it takes a significant period for clubs to develop a winning combination. In almost all cases, the great coaches as measured today, were under the pump with the axe set to fall in their early years. So I guess it’s a lesson in patience and looking at the medium to long term rather than results in the short term. It is difficult though given MFC long time in the wilderness and the 24 hour 7 days news cycle, social media, and commentators who want to dramatise everything in terms of success or failure. Fans crave the immediate Adrenalin rush like craving cocaine or other addictive drug. Its a lesson in having a stable club with administration, executive and footy club in alignment with good honest communication and an understanding of what’s required for success. To not give in to those who want to pursue change for change sake. It is important to not destroy or dismantle all things and work on incremental improvement at all levels in all areas. It is about having excellent and credible leadership at all levels, and having everyone committed to the task of building success and ensuring that there is a supportive and respected environment. It is about never giving up or losing hope and using adversity to learn from mistakes and to build resilience. And to never forget that we are dealing with people, flesh and blood, who have feelings and emotions. An an example, the importance of Nathan Jones and reaching his 300. The impact of this on the club, the players and supporters can’t be under estimated. And it’s great to see the emotion that is being generated at the oldest footy club in the land. We are perhaps witnessing the rebirth of a proud footy club. As they say, there is a long way to go and the challenge is to temper our expectations and accept there will be ups and downs. But at the moment it is a nice feeling to be proud of our club and be happy to have hung in over all the years of disappointment. To have had hope and faith. To see the outpouring of emotion from Demon fans. The wait may have all been worth it after all.

Thanks for posting this interview. I found it very interesting and insightful. This bloke is understated but impressive. More importantly, he gave us an insight into the mindset and resilience of the team. A coming of age regarding skill, attitude and application. Leadership, individual strength and team think. It’s very reassuring when many are wondering if it’s another false dawn that will be dismembered after a few losses. This interview suggests not.

It’s all about balance, mobility, run and defensive pressure. Our current 22 have that in spades, Melksham aside. I simply can’t see how BB or Weed help our game whilst TM continues to take marks and kick goals.

He is the smartest young player I can remember watching.